Photographic printing apparatus



Sept. 30, 1969 w. BAASNER 3,469,918

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 22, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. WILHELM BAASNER p 30, 1969 w. BAASNER PHOTOGRAPH IC PRINTING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 22, 1967 [NV EN TOR.

WILHELM BAASNER United States Patent Int. 01. Gosb 27/04 U.S. Cl. 355-97 22 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A photographic printing apparatus wherein the feeding unit for advancing a strip of light-sensitive material stepwise to an exposure station is adjustable to perform strokes of different length and wherein an adjustable masking unit can cover different portions of the strip at the exposure station. The adjusting device for the two units is permanently connected with the feeding unit but is detachable from the masking unit so that the feeding unit can be adjusted together with or independently of the masking unit. The adjusting device comprises a rotary knob and the apparatus comprises means for indicating angular displacement of the knob when the latter adjusts both units as well as angular displacement of the knob when the latter adjusts only the feeding unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to photographic printing apparatus, and more particularly to improvements in photographic printing apparatus of the type, disclosed, for example, in my Patent No. 3,156,172 or in German Patent No. 1,192,049.

The apparatus of my Patent No. 3,156,172 comprises a feeding unit which can transport shorter or longer sections of light sensi'tivje paper to an exposure station where the material is exposed to have a print reproduced thereon. The apparatus further comprises a masking unit which can cover a greater or smaller part of that section which is located at the exposure station. An adjusting device is provided to adjust the feeding unit together with the masking unit so that the exposed area of the paper is properly related to the length of sections which are being advanced by the feeding unit. In such apparatus, the printed area does not extend all the way to the edges of a reproduction, i.e., reproductions without white margins must be made by cropping the edges of each reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an important object of my invention to provide a novel and improved photographic printing apparatus wherein the area of the exposed part of light-sensitive material at the exposure station can be adjusted together with or independently of the strokes of the feeding unit and vice versa.

Another object of the invention is to provide a printing apparatus which can be adjusted to provide reproductions wherein the imprinted area extends all the way to the edges or covers only a portion of the reproduction.

A further object of the invention is to provide a photographic printing apparatus wherein the rate at which the light-sensitive material is being fed to the exposure station can be varied Within a wide range to provide a finite or infinite number of feed rates and wherein the masking unit can be adjusted between a finite or infinite number of positions together with or independently of the feeding unit.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a printing apparatus of the above outlined character wherein the extent of adjustment of one unit independently of the other unit can be determined at all times and which 3,469,918 Patented Sept. 30, 1969 can further provide information relating to simultaneous adjustment of both units.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved motion transmitting connection between the adjusting device and the feeding and/or masking unit of a photographic printing apparatus.

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide a printing apparatus wherein the adjusting device is automatically held in selected position to prevent undesirable changes in the rate of material feed and/or the position of the masking unit.

Briefly outlined, the invention is embodied in a photographic printing apparatus which comprises an adjustable feeding unit for feeding light-sensitive material past an exposure station where the material is exposed so as to have a print reproduced thereon, the feeding unit being operative to advance the material in stepwise fashion so that after each step another exposure can be made at the aforementioned station, and adjustable masking unit for masking the light-sensitive material at the exposure station, manually movable adjusting means for the two units, first motion transmitting means providing a preferably permanent connection between the adjusting means and one of the units, and second motion transmitting means for establishing a separable connection between the adjusting means and the other unit. The other unit is preferably the masking unit, i.e., the masking unit can be disconnected from the adjusting means so that the latter can adjust the feeding unit independently of the masking unit. Such arrangement also permits adjustment of the masking unit together with the feeding unit as well as any desired adjustment of the masking unit for each setting of the feeding unit.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved photographic printing apparatus itself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of a photographic printing apparatus which embodies my invention, the adjusting means being shown in locked or arrested position;

FIG. 2 is a section as seen in the direction of arrows from the line II-II of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front elevational view as seen in the direction of the arrow III in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of a photographic printing apparatus which comprises a frame or housing F including a front wall 1 and is of the type resembling apparatus which are disclosed, for example, in my US. Patent No. 3,156,172 or in German Patent No. 1,192,049. The front wall 1 has an opening 1a for an actuating member in the form of a knob 2 which forms part of an adjusting device that performs several functions including regulating the stroke of a feeding unit which advances a strip 19 of light-sensitive material and adjusting a masking unit which masks the paper at the exposure station. The knob 2 is axially movably telescoped onto a hollow sleevelike carrier 3 which also forms part of the adjusting device and is coupled thereto by a pin-and-slot connection including axially parallel slots 3a, 3b machined into the carrier 3 and radially inwardly extending pins 4, 5 provided on the knob. The pins 4, 5 insure that the 3 carrier 3 shares all angular movements of the knob 2 but permit the latter to move axially of the carrier.

In the position which is shown in FIG. 1, the knob 2 maintains its pins 4, 5 in abutment with surfaces bounding the innermost ends of the slots 3a, 3b. The carrier 3 is rotatable in a bearing sleeve 6 which is installed in the frame F but the sleeve 6 holds the carrier 3 against outward axial movement, i.e., the carrier cannot move downwardly beyond the axial position shown in FIG. 1. Such outward axial movement of the carrier 3 is prevented by the sleeve 6 in cooperation with a gear 7 which is connected to the carrier adjacent to the inner axial end of the bearing sleeve 6 and abuts against the bearing sleeve in the position which is shown in FIG. 1. The gear 7 forms a third part of the adjusting device and meshes with a motion transmitting gear 8 which can adjust the feeding unit for light-sensitive paper 19 so that the strokes of the feeding unit are changed in response to angular displacement of the carrier 3. The feeding unit includes a feed cylinder or drum 20 which can transport light-sensitive paper 19 in stepwise fashion. The exact construction of a feeding unit which can be used in my printing apparatus is disclosed, for example, in German Patent No. 1,098,816.

The gear 7 of the adjusting device also meshes with a motion transmitting gear 9 which is rotatable on a shaft 10 journalled in the frame F. The motion transmitting gear 9 is rigid with a first clutch disk 11 which is provided with an annulus of holes 11a each adapted to receive a clutching pin or post 12a provided on a second clutch disk 12. The second clutch disk 12 is biased by a helical clutch spring 13 which urges the post 12a into the adjoining hole 11a of the first clutch disk 11. The second clutch disk 12 is reciprocable on the shaft 10 and can be shifted by a motion transmitting or shifting fork 14 to move upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 1, and to withdraw its post 12a from the adjoining hole 11a. A coupling 16 connects the second clutch disk 12 with a motion transmitting pinion 17 so that the latter can be turned in response to turning of the clutch disk 11 when the post 12a extends into one of the holes 11a. The pinion 17 meshes with a rack 18 which forms part of the masking unit. The masking unit further comprises two conventional masks which are movable toward and away from the central symmetry plane of the paper 19.

The coupling 16 has a smaller diameter portion 16a which is engaged by the bifurcated end of the fork 14. The latter is fixed to the frame F by a hinge constituted by a leaf spring 15. A central portion of the fork 14 has a bore 14a whose diameter is smaller than the external diameter of the carrier 3. That axial end of the carrier 3 which is remote from the knob 2 abuts against the fork 14 so that, when the carrier is moved upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 1, the fork turns with reference to the axis defined by the leaf spring and moves the coupling 16 and the clutch disk 12 in a direction away from the clutch disk 11 in order to withdraw the post 12a from the adjoining hole 11a.

The axial bore of the carrier 3 accommodates a shaft 21 which forms part of a first indicating device and is free to turn and to move axially with reference to the carrier. The outer end of the shaft 21 carries a diskshaped scale 22 whose peripheral portion is provided with six cutouts or recesses 22a-22e (see FIG. 3). An index or pin 23 which is rigid with the knob 2 extends into one of the cutouts 23a-23e. The shaft 21 is somewhat longer than the carrier 3 so that its inner end extends beyond the carrier and through the bore 14a of the fork 14. Furthermore, the inner end of the shaft 21 extends through the central aperture of a washer 24 and carries a disk-shaped detent member 26. A helical spring 25 which surrounds the shaft 21 operates between the detent member 26 and washer 24 to bias the shaft inwardly, i.e., in a direction away from the knob 2. The peripheral portion of the detent member 26 is formed with a series of recesses or cutouts 26a whose number and distribution correspond to the number and length of strokes that can be performed by the feeding unit including the drum 20. A pin or stud 27 which is aflixed to a stop 28 for the detent member 26 extends into one of the cutouts 26a. The stop 28 is mounted on the frame F in such a way that the shaft 21 shares only a portion of axial movement of the knob 2 when the latter is depressed against the opposition of springs 13 and 25. This insures that the scale 22 lags behind the knob 2 and that the index 23 leaves the adjoining cutout in the scale. On the other hand, the length of the pin 27 is such that it becomes disengaged from the detent member 26 when the knob 2 is pulled outwardly and entrains the scale 22 with the shaft 21 in a direction to compress the spring 25.

The knob 2 further carries an indicating arm 28 which forms part of a second indicating device and whose position can be observed through the opening 1a. The outer end portion 28a of the arm 28 constitutes an index cooperating with a scale 33 on the front wall 1. The scale 33 is graduated to indicate various angular positions of the knob 2. The latter further carries a locking lever 29 which is biased by a torsion spring 29a to normally assume the angular position shown in FIG. 1 whereby its inner arm registers with a prong provided on a locking spring 30. Another prong of the locking spring 30 bears against an arresting disk 31 which is aflixed to the frame F. The locking spring 30 is attached to the knob 2. In order to push the knob 2 inwardly, the operator must grasp the outer arm of the locking lever 29 in order to move the inner arm of the lever away from registry with the locking spring 30. The knob 2 further carries a projection or tooth 32 having a notch 32a and receivable in tooth spaces 31a provided in the periphery of the arresting disk 31. The shape of the tooth 32 is such that it is disengaged from the disk 31 when the knob 2 is held in fully depressed or in the outer end position. The distribution and number of spaces 31a in the periphery of the arresting disk 31 correspond to the number and length of strokes which can be performed by the feeding unit for lightsensitive paper 19.

FIG. 2 illustrates the gear train 7, 8, 9, the drum 20, the light-sensitive paper 19 and a pressing roll 34 which urges the paper against the periphery of the drum 20 so that the paper is transported in response to rotation of the drum. A tensioning roll 35 is mounted on a swingable lever or the like and maintains the paper 19 under requisite tension.

FIG. 3 shows the exposed side of the knob 2 and the graduations on the scale 33. The index or pin 23 extends into the cutout 220 of the scale 22. The index 28a of the arm 28 is visible between the scale 33 and the periphery of the knob 2 and registers with a graduation on th scale 33.

The gear 8 forms part of a first motion transmitting device which provides a permanent connection between the adjusting device 2, 3, 7 and the feeding unit. The parts 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17 constitute a second motion transmitting device which provides a separable connection between the adjusting device and the masking unit.

The operation is as follows:

In the position shown in FIG. 1, the knob 2 is idle and its tooth 32 extends into a space 31a of the arresting disk 31. If the operator exerts on the knob 2 a pull (in a direction counter to that indicated by the arrow III), the tooth 32 moves away from the arresting disk 31 and the knob is free to turn. At the same time, the detent disk 26 moves away from and is disengaged from the stud 27 of the stop 28. Angular displacement of the knob 2 in such extracted or outer end position will effect simultaneous adjustment of the masking unit (because the pinion 17 will displace the rack 18) and of the feeding unit (because the gear 7 will turn the gear 8). The length of selected strokes of the feeding unit can be determined by observing the position of the index 28a with reference to the fixed scale 33. Thus, when the knob 2 is pulled outwardly and is thereupon caused to turn, the operator knows that the adjustment of masking unit takes place simultaneously with adjustment of the feeding unit and that the ratio of the length of strokes performed by the feeding unit to the area of paper 19 exposed by the masking unit at the exposure station is determined in advance.

However, if the operator wishes to change the length of strokes of the feeding unit without any adjustment of masking unit, or vice versa, the operators finger grasps the outer arm of the locking lever 29 to move its inner arm in a clockwise direction and away from registry with the locking spring 31. This frees the knob 2 for movement inwardly, i.e., toward the bearing sleeve 6, whereby the knob causes the springs 13 and 25 to store energy. The pins 4, 5 of the knob 2 displace the carrier 3 axially whereby the latter pivots the fork 14 and the fork moves the coupling 16 and second clutch disk 12 away from the first clutch disk 11 to withdraw the post 12a from the adjoining hole 11a. Thus, the motion transmitting gear 9 becomes ineffective because the disks 11, 12 are disengaged from each other. If the operator turns the knob 2 in fully depressed position, the gear 7 will turn the gears 8, 9 whereby the gear 8 changes the stroke of the feeding unit while the position of the masking unit remains unchanged.

When the operator depresses the knob 2 subsequent to turning of the locking lever 29, the shaft 21 shares such axial movement of the knob 2 until the disk 26 abuts against the stop 28. As the knob 2 continues to move inwardly (upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 1), the index 23 is withdrawn from the cutout 220 of the scale 22 so that the scale cannot turn with the knob because the shaft 21 is held against rotation due to engagement between the stud 27 and detent member 26. Thus, the knob 2 will turn with reference to the scale 22 and the operator can determine the extent of angular displacement of the knob by observing the position of the index 23 with reference to the cutouts 22a-22e. This enables the operator to determine the extent to which the stroke of the feeding unit is adjusted in response to turning of the knob 2 when the latter is disengaged from the coupling 16. If desired, the scale 22 can be graduated to indicate changes in stroke of the feeding unit or the actual length of such strokes.

It is clear that the improved printing apparatus is susceptible of many modifications without departing from the spirit of my invention. For example, the number of angular adjustments of the knob 2 in fully depressed or in outer end position can be changed at will. Furthermore, the arresting disk 31 can be modified so that the knob 2 can be arrested in an infinite number of angular positions, and the same applies for the clutch disks 11, 12 and detent member 26 and stud 27. Such parts can be replaced by spring-operated friction clutches or the like to allow for an infinite number of adjustments. The utilization of such clutches will enable the operator to select an infinite number of adjustments for the feeding and/ or masking unit, either together with or independently of each other.

It is further clear that the detent member 26 can be replaced by a gear mounted on the shaft 21 and meshing with a gear (not shown) which is rigidly and coaxially secured to the pinion 17. The ratio of the just mentioned unillustrated gears must correspond to the ratio of gears 7 and 9. Also, the index 23 and cutouts 22a-22e can be omitted if the knob 2 is provided with a suitable marker in the form of an arrow or the like which can be placed into registry with selected graduations of the scale 22. Such marker will indicate changes in angular position of the knob 2 when the clutch including the disks 11, 12 is disengaged.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features which fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of my contribution to the art and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a photographic printing apparatus, a combination comprising an adjustable feeding unit for feeding lightsensitive material past an exposure station where the material is exposed to have a print reproduced thereon, said feeding unit operating in stepwise fashion so that after each step another exposure can be made at said station; an adjustable masking unit for masking the light-sensitive material at said station; manually movable adjusting means for said units; first motion transmitting means providing a connection between said adjusting means and one of said units; and second motion transmitting means for establishing a separable connection between said adjusting means and the other of said units.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said second motion transmitting means comprises a clutch including two separable members one of which receives motion from said adjusting means and the other of which transmits motion to said other unit.

3. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said one unit is said feeding unit.

4. A combination as defined in claim 3, further comprising indicating means including a scale member and an index member, one of said members being stationary and the other member being movable with said adjusting means, said index member cooperating with said scale member to indicate the extent of movement of said adjusting means and the resulting adjustment of said feeding unit.

5. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising indicating means for indicating the extent of movement of said adjusting means and resulting adjustment of said one unit when said adjusting means is disconnected from the other unit.

6. A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein said indicating means comprises a scale member and an index member, one of said members being rigid with a portion of said adjusting means and the other member sharing the movement of said portion of said adjusting means only when the latter is connected with said other unit.

7. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising locking means for normally preventing disconnection of said adjusting means from said other unit.

8. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said adjusting means comprises a rotary axially movable carrier and an actuating member axially movably mounted on and also movable axially with said carrier, said second motion transmitting means comprising a first rotary clutch member receiving motion from said adjusting means, a second rotary clutch member transitting motion to said other unit and norm-ally engaging with said first clutch member, and shifting means responsive to movement of said actuating member with said carrier to disengage said second clutch member from said first clutch member.

9. A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said adjusting means further comprises a first gear on said carrier and said second motion transmitting means further comprises a second gear rigid with said first clutch member and meshing with said first gear.

10. A combination as defined in claim 9, wherein said first motion transmitting means comprises a third gear meshing with one of said first mentioned gears.

11. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said adjusting means comprises a rotary actuating member movable axially between a first position and at least one second position and further comprising arresting means for holding said actuating member against rotation in said first position thereof.

12. A combination as defined in claim 11, wherein said actuating member is movable axially to two second positions and is automatically disconnected from said other unit in response to movement to one of said second positions.

13. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said adjusting means comprises a hollow rotary carrier, bearing means axially movably supporting said carrier, an actuating member axially movably supported by and rotatable with said carrier, and a gear provided on said carrier, said second motion transmitting means comprising a clutch including two separable clutch members, a gear connected with one of said clutch members and meshing with said first named gear, a connection between the other clutch member and said masking means, and shifting means for disengaging the other clutch member from said one clutch member in response to axial movement of said carrier with said actuating member, and further comprising indieating means including a shaft axially movably received in and rotatable with reference to said carrier, a scale mounted at one end of said shaft adjacent to said actuating member and provided with a plurality of recesses, a pin provided on said actuating member and normally extending into one of said recesses, a detent member provided at the other end of said shaft and having a plurality of cutouts, and a fixed stud normally extending into one of said cutouts, said shaft being movable axially of said carrier through the intermediary of said scale in response to axial movement of said actuating member with reference to said carrier to disengage said detent member from said stud and said actuating member being movable axially with reference to said shaft to withdraw its pin from said one recess.

14. A combination as defined in claim 13, wherein the axial movability of said actuating member with reference to said carrier exceeds the extent of axial movement necessary to disengage said detent member from said stud.

15. A combination as defined in claim 13, further comprising means for biasing said shaft in a direction to maintain said stud in said one cutout and for simultaneously biasing said shifting means to an inoperative position.

16. A combination as defined in claim 13, further comprising a pin-and-slot connection between said carrier and said actuating member to rotate said carrier in response to manual turning of said actuating member but to permit axial movement of said actuating member with reference to said carrier.

17. A combination as defined in claim 16, wherein said pin-and-slot connection is arranged to limit axial movement of said actuating member in one direction.

18. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said adjusting means comprises a rotary actuating member, a shaft normally coupled for rotation with said actuating member, and a first gear provided on said shaft, said second motion transmitting means comprising a second gear meshing with said first gear to receive motion therefrom when said shaft is coupled to and is being rotated by said actuating member.

19. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said adjusting means comprises a rotary actuating member movable axially between a first position and a second position and a carrier rotatable with said actuating memher, and further comprising locking means for normally preventing movement of said actuating member from first position, said locking means comprising a first portion provided on said actuating member and engaging said carrier and a second portion provided on said actuating member and movable by hand between a position of registry with said first portion to thereby hold said actuating member against movement from first position and a second position out of registry with said first portion.

20. A combination as defined in claim 19, further comprising means for permanently biasing said second position into registry with said first portion.

21. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising a fixed scale and index means provided on said adjusting means and movable with reference to said scale to indicate the extent of movement of said adjusting means.

22. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for indicating the extent of movement of said adjusting means and the resulting adjustment of said one unit when said adjusting means is disconnected from said other unit, said indicating means comprising a scale carried by a first portion of said adjusting means and an index carried by a second portion of said adjusting means, one of said portions being movable with reference to the other portion when said adjusting means is disconnected from said other unit.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,062,109 10/1962 Mayo et a1. 355-53 2,548,998 4/1951 Oakhill 355-97 NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner 0 R. L. MOSES, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 355 

